By Kenneth Ling
Aggie Sports Writer
The Aggies’ momentum from the four-game win streak is now over. UC Davis once again struggles to find its form, as the Aggies have now lost four games in a row, three of which come from this weekend’s sweep in Irvine.
The Aggies’ first game against the Anteaters was a close battle which came down to a squeeze bunt in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Anteaters the win. UC Davis and UC Irvine were tied 4-4 heading to the bottom of the ninth. Starting pitcher junior Harry Stanwyck pitched a solid game, pitching 7.2 innings and only allowing four earned runs.
However, the Aggies could not find the run support to gain control of the game. While junior Nick Lynch did go 3-3 on the day with one RBI, no one in the lineup could consistently drive in runs. Junior second baseman Steven Patterson, who has been on fire lately, went 1-4 on the day with no RBI.
On Saturday’s game, the Anteaters torched the Aggie pitchers for eight runs. Sophomore Taylor Sparks led the way for UC Irvine, going 2-3 on the day with three RBI. UC Davis could not stop the hitting as they gave up six runs in the first three innings.
Furthermore, the bats were cold, as the Aggies only managed to drive in two runs on 10 hits. Lynch went 2-4 with one of the team’s two RBI. Senior Paul Politi, UC Davis’ power threat, went 1-4 with no RBI.
In the series finale on Sunday, the Aggies put up a good performance through the bottom of the ninth with two outs. From there, UC Davis collapsed and allowed two runs to cross the plate, giving the Anteaters the 4-3 win.
The Aggies received a phenomenal starting pitching performance by junior Evan Wolf, who pitched six innings and only allowed one run. UC Irvine found success hitting against the relief pitchers of UC Davis however, scoring two runs in the seventh inning, closing the gap to 3-2.
With the Aggies maintaining a slim 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, UC Davis seemed to be in proper position to prevent a sweep. Aggie sophomore pitcher Craig Lanza quickly got two outs in the ninth. The stage was set for UC Davis to end the game with a win.
However, this is when the Anteaters started to get into a rhythm. UCI got on base with a single which turned into a two-base hit due to an error by the Aggies.
Next, a walk allowed by Lanza, put runners on first and second. A misplayed fielder’s choice loaded the bases with two outs. This is where sophomore infielder Connor Spencer hit a clutch double to bring in the game-tying and game-winning runs to sweep of the Aggies.
UC Davis is now 15-26 overall and 3-12 in the Big West Conference. The Aggies will play a one-game series against Santa Clara on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. The game will be played at Dobbins Field in Davis.
KENNETH LING can be reached at sports@theaggie.org.
[…] By Kenneth Ling Aggie Sports Writer The Aggies’ momentum from the four-game win streak is now over. UC Davis once again struggles to find its form, as the Aggies have now lost four games in a row, three of which come from this weekend’s sweep in Irvine. The Aggies’ first game against the Anteaters was a close battle which came down to a squeeze bunt in the bottom of the ninth, giving the … Read more… […]